Micromesistius poutassou

Family	Scientific Name	Author	Year	Common Name
Gadidae	Micromesestius poutassou	(Risso)	1827	Blue Whiting

Family Gadidae — Large fish to 2 m, commonly from 30 to 100 cm, with elongated body and moderately deep caudal peduncle. Top of head lacking V-shaped ridge. Mouth large with either upper jaw or lower jaw slightly protruding in many; teeth on vomer. Small chin barbel present in most species. Long dorsal fin divided into 3 parts; anal fin in 2 parts. Caudal fin well developed, truncate to forked; pectoral fins well developed, pointed; pelvic fins short, thoracic.

Micromesestius poutassou

Unique Characters: First anal fin with long base, 1/2 or more of preanal distance. Lower jaw
slightly longer than upper jaw; chin barbel very small or absent. Dorsal fins widely separated,
space between second dorsal fin and third dorsal fin greater than length of base of first dorsal fin.

Similar Species:

Atlantic Cod, Gadus mohua. First anal fin short-based, less than 1/2 preanal distance. Lower jaw slightly shorter than upper jaw. Chin barbel large.

Pollock, Pollachius virens. First anal fin with long base, 1/2 or more of preanal distance. Lower jaw slightly longer than upper jaw. Small chin barbel present in young. Dorsal fins closer together, space between second dorsal fin and third dorsal fin less than length of base of first dorsal fin.

Haddock, Melanogrammus aeglefinus. Single black blotch on each side above pectoral fin. Lateral line dark. Single, small barbel present on chin. Dorsal fin tall, pointed. Caudal fin margin concave (Kells and Carpenter 2011).